Bathtub with sliding door closure



April 30, 1968 A. HANSON 3,330,078

BATHTUB WITH SLIDING DOOR CLOSURE Filed Feb. 23, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 4:! Hanson April 30, 1968 A. HANSON BATHTUB WITH SLIDING DOOR CLOSURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1966 I INVENTEJR A'delhea Hanson Aprifi 30, 1968 A. HANSON 3,380,073

BATHTUB WITH SLIDING DOOR CLOSURE Filed Feb. 23, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Adelheid Hanson United States Patent 3,380,078 BATHTUB WITH SLIDING DOOR CLOSURE Ad'elheid Hanson, 12914 NW. 7th Ave., North Miami, Fla. 33168 Filed Feb. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 529,527 10 Claims. (Cl. 4-173) This invention concerns a bathtub having lateral opening with a sliding door closure.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide a bathtub with a lateral opening closed by a hinged door or gate rotatable on a vertical or horizontal axis. Such a door construction has not proven wholly practical or satisfactory for a number of reasons. It has been found that such doors tend to leak around the edges when the bathtubs are full of water. Elaborate sealing and locking devices devised to overcome the leakage problem are quite complex, expensive to install, difficult to repair, and likely to getout of order rather quickly and often. Furthermore the sealing and locking devices are rather difiicult to manipulate, particularly for infirm and handicapped persons who use bathtubs equipped with such doors. Another objection is the projection of the hinged doors laterally outward of the tubs when the doors are open. This constitutes a safety hazard. When bathtubs are located in rather cramped quarters, space is often too limit to permit installation of hinged doors, or when such doors are installed, they leave too little standing room for the person who must operate them. A further objection is the tendency of the hinges to work loose or sag after repeated use.

The present invention is directed at overcoming the above and other difiiculties and disadvantages by providing a bathtub with a hingeless sliding door which is easy to open and close, simple to install, readily and conveniently stowed out of the way when not in use, leakproof when closed, and sturdy in construction.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a bathtub having a lateral opening with a sliding door having an easily operated, effective sealing mecha- IllSIIl.

A further object is to provide a sliding door which is cam operated to effect sealing of the door in a bathtub opening and to effect release of the door in the opening.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a safety lock for the sliding door in a bathtub to prevent accidental unsealing of the door in the bathtub opening.

Another object is to provide a sliding door which can be stowed out of the way when removed from a lateral opening in a bathtub.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a bathtub having a sliding door mounted therein, according to the invention, shown with an associated safety rail adapted to support the door when removed from the bathtub opening.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bathtub, door and rail of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on line 5A-5A of FIG. 4.

, 3,380,078 Patented Apr. 30, 1968 FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a channel frame employed in the bathtub.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the door shown in FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another door embodying a modification of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the door of FIG. 9 installed in another type of bathtub.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a bathtub 10 having a forward double side wall formed with an outer vertical wall 12 and inner wall 14 joined at the top by a narrow horizontal wall 16. Rectangular aligned notches 18, 19 are formed in walls 12, 14 and a portion of top wall 16 is cut away to define a rectangular opening 20 which extends downwardly from the top wall and terminates short of the bottom wall 21 of the bathtub. Set in the space between the walls 12, 14 around the rim of opening 20 is a channel frame member 22 which is generally U-sha-ped in side view as clearly shown in FIG. 7. The channel frame is generally E shaped in cross section, with two fiat parallel U-shaped side rails 23 integral with a U-shaped outer or back rail 25. An inner U-shaped rail 26 is disposed between rails 23, 24 and integral with the inner side of rail 25. Rail 26 is generally T-shaped in cross section with a pedestal portion 27 parallel to rails 23 and perpendicular to rail 25. Rail 26 has a flat head 28 centered on pedestal portion 27 and extending laterally at opposite edges toward rails 23 respectively to define two partially enclosed grooves 24; see FIGS. 3, 4 and 7. Frame member 22 is preferably cemented in place between walls 12, 14 to form leakproof joints therewith. The frame member is open inwardly at the horizontal bottom of opening 20 and at its opposing vertical sides.

Door 30 is shown removably installed in the bathtub in FIGS. I6 and is shown removed therefrom in FIG. 8. The door comprises two diverging, generally flat rectangilar panels 32, 34. The upper edges of the panels are inserted in an inverted straight channel member 36 and are held therein by bolts or rivets 38 extending across and supported by vertical side rails 40 of member 36. The bolts extend through holes in panels 32, 34. An axially vertical shaft 42 extends between the panels and upwardly through an opening 41 in the top of channel member 36. A handle 44 is secured to shaft 42 near its upper end. The handle extends radially outward of the shaft and is used for turning the shaft manually. The upper end of the shaft 42 is rotatably engaged with a U-shaped handle 45 attached to the top of channel member 36. Handle 45 is used for lifting the door vertically out of opening 20 in the bathtub and for lowering the door into the opening 20.

The top face of channel member 36 may extend above or may be made to 'be flush with the upper edge of the bathtub 10.

The lower end of the shaft 42 is rotatably journaled in an arm 48 which extends inwardly of the inner side of panel 32 toward panel 34, see FIG. 4. Mounted on and secured to shaft 42 just above arm 48 is a rather flat cam 50 centered on the shaft 42; see FIG. 5. The cam is disposed in a horizontal rectangular U-shaped bracket 52 secured to the inner side of panel 34 and extending toward panel 32. Both panels 32 and 34 have outwardly extending p0rtions 54, 56 defining opposing inwardly open recesses 54', 56'. Bracket flanges 58 are secured in recess 56'. It will be apparent from a study of FIGS. 4 and 5 that if the shaft 42 and cam 50 are rotated degrees the lower portions of panels 32, 34 will be drawn toward each other while the bight 59 of bracket 52 enters the recess 54' in panel 32.

A groove 60 is formed in the panel 32 at its inner side. A flat gasket strip 62 is seated in this groove and extends inwardly toward a similar gasket strip 64 seated in another groove 66 formed in the inner side of panel 34. Grooves 60 and 66 are U-shaped in side viewas clearly shown in FIG. 6 and extend around the panels near their bottom and vertical side edges.

When the door is inserted in opening 20 of the bathtub, the bottom and vertical side edges of panels 32 extend into grooves G1, G2 respectively of frame member 22 and gaskets 62, 64 are slightly spaced from and aligned with opposite edges of rail head 28. The panels 32, 34 are loosely held on bolts 38 so that the panels can be moved toward each other when the shaft 42 is turned. When the shaft and cam are turned 90 degrees from the position shown in FIGS. 4-6, the panels will be drawn toward each other and gaskets 62, 64 will be snugly pressed against the edges of rail head 28 to effect double liquid-tight, leakproof seals.

A safety locking handle 35 is turnable mounted on the panel 34 and is formed with an axle shaft 35a. Near the free end of the axle shaft, and 90 degrees thereto, a safety pin 35b is secured in position, adapted to be engaged into a vertical groove 43a formed in a collar 43 which is secured to shaft 42.

After the gaskets 62, 64 are pressed against the rail head 28, the safety locking handle 35 is turned down 90 degrees, thereby the safety pin 35b is made to engage into the groove 43a of the shaft collar 43, to prevent the shaft 42 and the cam from turning while the safety pin 35b is in locking position. This will prevent the leak-proof seal being released inadvertently.

A 90 degree turn of handle 35 and thereafter of the handle 44 back to the position of FIG. 4, will release the panels and disengage the gaskets from the rail head 28. Thus the door can easily be lifted out of the opening 20.

Panels 32, 34 and other parts of the door can be made of metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or the like. For minimum weight, the panels 32, 34 can be made of strong, rigid polyester plastic reinforced with fiberglass or other plastic material.

In order to hold the door safely and out of the way when removed from opening 20, there is provided a metal frame 75. This frame has an inverted generally U-shaped body with an outer bent arm 78 and inner straight arm 80 both secured at lower ends to exposed sides of outer wall 12 and inner wall 14 of the bathtub near end wall 81. Two rectangular frame members 82, 84 are secured vertically to arms 78 and 80 respectively to define a space therebetween into which the door 30 can be inserted. Lower arms 86 of the frame members 82, 84 rest on top wall 16 of the bathtub, and the door will also rest on this wall between the frame members. The door can easily be pulled out of the frame 75 and fitted into opening 20 without having to be lifted higher than wall 16. Frame 75 also serves as a safety rail and grab support for an occupant of the bathtub.

FIG. 9 shows another door 30a which is generally similar to door 30 and corresponding parts identically numbered. In door 30a the panels 32 and 34 are secured by rivets 87 to leaves 88, 89 of a channel shaped hinge 90 which replaces the rigid channel member 36 of door 30. Panels 32' and 34' are forced apart by a 90 degree turn of handle 44 to operate cam 50 in a manner identical to that described for door 30, except that the panels pivot apart at hinge pins 91, 92 rather than slide apart as occurs in panels 32, 34 of door 30. Handle 45' is secured to hinge leaf 88, the upper end of the shaft 42' is loosely fitted in a lateral bearing sleeve 93 on handle 45'.

FIG. shows door 30a removably installed in a bathtub 10a which is similar to bathtub 10, except that the bathtub is provided with a seat 95. The bathtub is provided with frame 75 for supporting the door when removed from opening 20 in the forward wall of the bathtub.

It will be apparent that there has been provided according to the invention, a relatively simple, strong, leakproof sliding door construction for closing a lateral opening in a bathtub. The doors described can be provided as original equipment when the bathtubs are manufactured. It is also possible to install the sliding doors after the bathtubs are manufactured and even after they are installed in bathrooms. This will be done by cutting openings 20 in the forward walls of the bathtubs and installing frame members 22. This can be done by any skilled plumber or metal worker.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bathtub having a lateral wall opening and a sliding door closure for said opening, the combination comprising a U-shaped frame disposed vertically in said opening, said frame having outer vertical opposing rails, and an inner rail, said inner rail being generally T-shaped in cross section with a head having edges extending toward the outer rails respectively to define two partially closed grooves, and a generally rectangular door having spaced diverging opposing panels, said panels having edges thereof disposed in said grooves respectively, resilient gaskets mounted on the panels respectively and extending inwardly toward respective edges of the rail head for engaging the same in liquid-tight sealing relationship, and a mechanism for drawing the panels toward each other in parallel relation for engaging the gaskets at the respective edges of the rail head.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises an inverted channel shaped member movably engaging upper ends of the panels, an axially vertical shaft extending between the panels, a handle extending radially of the shaft above said channel shaped member, for turning the shaft, a cam on said shaft disposed between the panels, means on one panel rotatably engaging the lower end of the shaft, and means on the other panel engaged with said cam so that rotation of the cam draws the panels toward each other.

3. The combination as recited in claim 2, further comprising a U-shaped handle on top of said channel member for lifting the door out of the wall opening, said shaft having its upper end rotatably journaled in said U-shaped handle with the first named handle disposed underneath the U-shaped handle.

4. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein inner opposing sides of the panels have other grooves formed therein, said gaskets being set in said other grooves respectively.

5. The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said channel shaped member is hinged and comprises two pivotally joined bent leaves, and means securing upper ends of the panels to the leaves respectively.

6. The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said channel shaped member includes two vertical parallel other rails, the upper ends of the panels being disposed between said other rails, and axially horizontal bolts extending through holes in the upper ends of the panels and supported by said other rails.

7. The combination as recited in claim 1, further comprising a frame mounted on the front wall of the tub, said frame having frame members disposed in spaced vertical planes parallel to the front wall and resting thereon for supporting the door when the door is removed from said opening.

8. The combination of claim 2, wherein inner opposing sides of the panels have other grooves formed therein, said gaskets being set in said other grooves respectively.

9. The combination of claim 8, further comprising safety locking means attached to one of the two spaced vertical panels for locking the sliding door in liquid-tight,

leakproof sealing condition, against inadvertent or unauthorized releasing of the rotatable sealing cam.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said locking means including an operating handle on an axle shaft with a safety pin attached thereto and a grooved collar on said vertical shaft, said safety pin adapted to engage the groove of said collar when the operating handle is turned 90 degrees, so as to lock the said cam in liquidtight sealing relationship to prevent it from inadvertent rotation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,136,841 4/1915 Shaw 251-167 1,500,557 7/1924 Gorman 4183 X 2,587,863 3/1952 Lambert 114-120 2,804,629 9/1957 Ring 4-173 HAROLD J. GROSS, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A BATHTUB HAVING A LATERAL WALL OPENING AND A SLIDING DOOR CLOSURE FOR SAID OPENING, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A U-SHAPED FRAME DISPOSED VERTICALLY IN SAID OPENING, SAID FRAME HAVING OUTER VERTICAL OPPOSING RAILS, AND AN INNER RAIL, SAID INNER RAIL BEING GENERALLY T-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION WITH A HEAD HAVING EDGES EXTENDING TOWARD THE OUTER RAILS RESPECTIVELY TO DEFINE TWO PARTIALLY CLOSED GROOVES, AND A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR DOOR HAVING SPACED DIVERGING OPPOSING PANELS, SAID PANELS HAVING EDGES THEREOF DISPOSED IN SAID GROOVES RESPECTIVELY, RESILIENT GASKETS MOUNTED ON THE PANELS RESPECTIVELY AND EXTENDING INWARDLY TOWARD RESPECTIVE EDGES OF THE RAIL HEAD FOR ENGAGING THE SAME IN LIQUID-TIGHT SEALING RELATIONSHIP, AND A MECHANISM FOR DRAWING THE PANELS TOWARD EACH OTHER IN PARALLEL RELATION FOR ENGAGING THE GASKETS AT THE RESPECTIVE EDGES OF THE RAIL HEAD. 